‘After The Fire’ Review – And The Problem With Justice [TIFF 2023]

Near the end of his debut film, Director Mehdi Fikri adds a note stating that the film we just watched was fictional, but that it resembles many stories from around the world. It isn’t until that moment that you realize what you’ve been watching isn’t real. After The Fire so closely follows its protagonists, and the development of this shattering family that it feels like a very lived-in documentary. Camélia Jordana leads this film as Malika El Yaderi, the oldest sister of the family, who embarks on a legal battle against the police after the murder of her younger brother, Karim.

Fikri, who also wrote the film, examines the depths of political corruption and cover-up when it comes to police misconduct, but more importantly, how the fight for justice is long, arduous, and strains families to the breaking point, which is often why most don’t fight for it. The film is also appropriately named as it deals with a frightening concept within this story. The ‘fire’ Fikri is referring to is that fire people have to support an injustice. It burns bright and wildly at first, which Fikri shows through riots and police antagonizing, but how long can it be sustained? And the longer it takes for justice to arrive, the harder it is to maintain that fire.

The film isn’t just about this one family’s fight, it’s about how the system is used to quell discontent and silence the rage. Whether it’s a false autopsy report, an uncooperative press, or police intimidation. Those in power will do whatever they can to hold onto it and crush anyone who tries to challenge it. Fikri is also wise to not write Karim as a saint. As is the case in many issues involving police interaction, rarely is the victim someone unfamiliar with the cops. Karim sold drugs and committed robberies. He wasn’t a total degenerate, but he wasn’t an ideal victim. This is another tactic that can weaken that fire. People like to feel like they’re standing up for an innocent person, but if there is even one crack in that person’s life, it can make people feel as though killing them was justified.

This film is held up by some astonishing performances. Each person is so invested in telling this story, it’s hard to imagine they haven’t gone through it themselves. Malika’s marriage is on shaky ground because most of her time is spent fighting the case. The youngest sister is turning to drinking and drugs to cope and lashing out at anyone because of the pain. The older brother can’t control his temper around the cops which leads to even more problems. This is the heart of this film, not just the justice they seek but how they deal with it, especially when it’s so far out of their reach. Mehdi Fikri captures the helplessness that families feel when faced against a system that doesn’t see their humanity and would sooner gaslight them and deny them than admit to their crimes.

Veteran composer Andrea Boccadoro’s soft and angry score hits every emotional beat in this movie. It swells when necessary and floats in others. It’s the perfect accompaniment to the emotions one will feel throughout this movie. Romain Carcanade’s realist photography paints a dreary France town in disarray and violence. The cold sheen over every scene highlights the family’s plight and isolation as they fight through their grief. And Beatrice Herminie’s editing is succinct and fiery. No wasted movement and no lost meaning as we power through each moment with the fervor of a thousand angry activists demanding justice, no matter the cost.

After The Fire held its World Premiere as part of the Discovery section at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. 

Director: Mehdi Fikri

Writer: Mehdi Fikri

Rated: NR

Runtime: 96m